Trickster by Christina Bauer

Author:Christina Bauer [Bauer, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781946677136
Publisher: Monster House Books

32

Lincoln

As a warrior, I’ve seen my share of odd battles. For instance, I once fought a mermaid and ended up half-frozen in a glacier. But I’ve never been strung up inside an egg-shaped cage before.

To kill time, I’ve been cataloging my surroundings.

Zero.

That’s how many Avian guards stand below me, Myla, and our cage. Perhaps they lurk somewhere nearby, but it seems unlikely.

Four.

The number of massive egg-shaped cages hoisted to hang from a tree branch above the clearing below. All the others are empty, aside from the one holding me and Myla.

Six.

The number of hours we’ve been stuck in this cage.

Fifteen.

The amount of times Myla and I discussed escaping, only to decide that to find the Marked One hidden with the Avians, it’s best to play by local rules. And that means waiting for the morning nesting, whatever that is.

Twenty.

The length (in feet) between our cage and the ground.

Fifty-seven.

How many egg-shaped houses handle in the nearby canopy of trees. Of these, only about a dozen appear to be populated.

One hundred thirty two.

That’s the number of Avians I’ve counted so far. So far, all resemble their king, only far thinner. And I’m not talking fashion-skinny either. These folks have ribs sticking out and bony limbs. Someone’s not getting enough food. Combine it with the empty nests, and it’s clear the Avians have some serious problems.

Myla sits across from me on the cage’s curved floor. She fidgets. “These branches are totally sticking in my butt. Who designed these things anyway?”

“I suspect they weren’t made for comfort.”

“No snacks, either. Good thing I come prepared.” Myla unzips her dragonscale fighting suit.

My mouth falls open. “You didn’t.”

“What? Bring along a Demon Bar? You bet I did. You know how I get when I have low blood sugar.”

“That will fix the low blood sugar issue, all right.” This is an ongoing point of discussion between me and Myla. Demon Bars are aptly named, I’ll leave it at that.

On second thought, I won’t. I stretch out my hand. Myla tears open the bar with her teeth. “May I see the wrapper?”

“No way. You’re just going to read the ingredients again.”

“For a reason. There isn’t one ingredient on that list without five syllables, minimum. Think about that. You’re putting all sorts of odd chemicals into your body now.”

Myla bits into the chocolate concoction. “Mmm, mmm.” She chews with exaggerated joy. “If you want some, you’ll have to be nice to me.”

“Fortunately, I had a big breakfast. Of food.”

“Eh, you’re just jealous I remembered a snack.”

Grinning, I stretch my arms wide. Words aren’t necessary. Myla shifts to snuggle against me, her back to my chest. It’s glorious.

If I have to be suspended inside an egg cage over a strange village, there’s no one I’d rather be trapped with.

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